With the Belt and Road Initiative catalyzing trade ties, the fruit trade between China and Thailand is booming. By 2023, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce estimates that the country’s total fruit exports will exceed 4 million tons, 77% of which will head to China. And simultaneously, apples, grapes, and other fruits from China are pouring into Thai markets, establishing China as Thailand’s second-largest fruit supplier.
Over the last five years, the balance of fruit trade between the two countries has dramatically shifted. In 2018, just 47% of Thailand’s fruit exports were directed to China. However, by 2022, that figure had surged to encompass nearly 90% of Thailand's total fruit exports.
Today, China is the world’s top consumer and importer of durians. While Thailand’s durian exports to China stood at 19.4 billion baht ($532 million) in 2018, just the first eight months of 2023 witnessed sales skyrocketing to 124.5 billion baht — a sixfold increase in five years. Durian isn’t the sole attraction; longan and mangosteen also enjoy significant popularity in the Chinese market.
Source: sixthtone.com